Dark Sky Festival!

Join rangers and members of DarkSky Missouri for a special Dark Sky Festival! This two-day event takes place at Big Spring, one of the darkest locations in the Midwest. Festivities begin on Friday at 5 pm, and activities run intermittently until 11 pm on Saturday. Visit the DarkSky Missouri website for more information!

Friday Activities

4:00 pm

• Registration table opens.

5:00 - 6:00 pm

• Ranger Shaun Heise presents a "Dark Skies" program.

6:00 pm

• Informal dark sky viewing begins with an introduction to stars/constellations likely to be seen.
• Viewing lasts until 10 pm but can extend later if wanted. Telescopes may be set up anytime in the afternoon.

Saturday Activities

8:00  - 10:00 am

• Nature/Bird Walk with naturalists from Missouri Department of Conservation and Audubon Society!
• Rest of morning free to float, fish, hike, and explore.

1:00 - 5:00 pm

• Tables and booths are set up and active.
• Speakers/presenters offer hourly programs throughout the afternoon.

7:00 pm

• Formal “Star Party” begins with an introduction to stars/constellations likely to be seen.
• Star Party lasts until 11 pm but can extend later if wanted.

For more information, visit the DarkSky website or read this PDF.

More information

Fees

The event is free to attend, but attendees should register on the DarkSky website (www.darkskymissouri.org).

Location

Big Spring can be found just south of Van Buren, Missouri. To reach Big Spring, turn off Highway 60 onto Highway 103 and drive south for about 4 miles. Around the 4th mile, you will cross a small bridge, after which there will be a large field. Take the first left into the parking lot and park there. Meet in the large field near the spring. Call (573) 323-4236 for more directions, if needed.

Latitude and Longitude 36.952097, -90.994134

Schedule

Festivities will first begin at 5 pm on Friday. Various activities will take place throughout the two-day festival, ending with a formal "star party" that lasts until 11 pm on Saturday.

Contact Information

Big Spring Entrance Station
(573) 323-4236
Contact Us

Event Type

• Exhibition/Show
• Festival
• Guided Tour
• Partner Program
• Talk
• Walk